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PaganismDiploma Course

The Paganism Diploma Course provides not only a foundational understanding of the history of Paganism, but also the means of practising Paganism or, at least, bringing it safely into your life.

You will learn what it really means to cast a spell and how to do it, as well as engaging with other Pagan techniques such as centring, grounding and shielding yourself from negative or draining energies.

You’ll gain a solid understanding of the European and Anglo-Saxon Paganism of the past to the Paganism currently practised within the British Isles today.

Course overview:

Certified

Accredited

13 Modules

Study Group Access

Earn reward points

What Will You Learn?

Paganism is a wide-ranging tradition. To ease you in, the Paganism Diploma Course begins by explaining the typical commonalities within the umbrella term ‘Paganism’. You will also be introduced to the precise etymology of the word ‘Pagan’ – where it came from and how it came to be used as a word predominantly used to define 'non-Christians'.

You’ll delve deep into the history of Paganism, looking specifically at the pre-Christian practices of the Celts. The course introduces you to Neolithic structures such as Stonehenge and Newgrange, while also examining the religious practices of the Celts including Druid ceremonies and burial practices.

We look specifically at how the philosophers of ancient Greece developed the relationship between religion and morality, the gods’ work and men’s actions. Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Platonism are each examined.

Continuing from there, the Paganism Diploma Course examines the religious beliefs of the Greco-Roman period, including the gods and goddesses worshipped, the way in which the Romans venerated their deities and how the Pagan beliefs of this time were influenced, threatened and finally subsumed by Christianity.

You’ll delve into Anglo-Saxon Paganism – looking in the cultic behaviours of these North Europeans who settled in England, and exploring their beliefs in magic, monsters and witches.

The Paganism Diploma Course looks at what occurred during the Renaissance, including the rebirth of interest in Greco-Roman values and virtues. We explore how the Black Death had a significant role in ushering in an era of the pursuit of excellence and luxury, and what this had to do with the Pagans of the past. We also examine the rise of Humanism, and how it influenced a wide interest in magic and the Occult.

The course then moves from the ideals of Humanism and how they actioned what is known as the Reformation in Europe, to an era of religious hysteria and witch-hunting. In doing so, it also examines how the English Reformation was different to the Reformation that came out of Germany, not just in the reasons behind its occurrence, but also because it ultimately could not staunch the flow of Pagan faith that continued throughout the country.

We investigate the opposing religious debates of the rational Enlightenment scholars and the passionate Romantics who put imagination and originality above all else within these two periods in time, and how it influenced the rise of modern Paganism. You will be introduced to specific ideas including Deism and Pantheism. You’ll also take a deep dive into Neo-Paganism and explore the festivals of the Wheel of the Year.

From the Paganism Diploma Course, you will learn about Wicca, including its relationship to witchcraft and magic. As part of that, we explore the Wiccan’s use of magic, with a focus on Moon Magic, and you will learn how to cast a spell. From there, you’ll move onto an examination of the Divine Feminine – its definition and the various goddesses that are worshipped within it.

You will learn the reasons for Neo-Paganism’s popularity. The course examines the various types of Paganism that exist, with an emphasis on Eco-Paganism, feminism and the LGBT community. It also highlights the differences between Paganism and New Ageism.

You will be introduced to the ancient idea of the Sacred Household and we show you how to implement some of these principles while preparing your own house for Pagan practice. You will also learn what is needed to set up an altar or shrine in your home.

We look at both the characteristics and purposes of Pagan rituals, exploring some of the techniques that are used in various ceremonies or simple daily rituals. Such techniques include evoking and invoking, along with centring, grounding and shielding. We will also look at working with deities and explore some of the different times and reasons that you might call upon the gods and goddesses.

By the end of the course, you will:

Have a deep understanding of how Paganism developed over the centuries
Realise the important influence of the Greek and Roman Era
Understand the basic principles of modern Paganism
Be aware of Pagans’ beliefs
Understand key theories such as Animism, Polytheism, Humanism, Deism, and Pantheism
Be able to cast a spell
Know how to set up an altar to your deity in your home

Who Would Benefit from This Course?

Many of us have at least a vague sense of what Paganism is but this idea can too often be tainted by what we have been taught by those with a vested interest in opposing the beliefs and values of a true Pagan. While Paganism differs from one practitioner to the next, the Paganism Diploma Course aims to provide a clear understanding of where Paganism came from, how it has evolved, and the common practices of a Pagan.

Whether you wish to gain a clear understanding of Paganism from an academic point of view or if you are looking for guidance on how to begin practising Paganism, the Paganism Diploma Course provides the information and guidance you need.

Modules

Module 1: The Origin of the Word ‘Paganism’ 6 Parts

Introduction
Part 1: Defining Paganism
Part 2: Etymology
Test Your Knowledge
Key Learning Points Exercise
Module 1 Assessment

Module 2: Celts, Druids and Ancient Pagans 6 Parts

Part 1: Prehistoric Pagans
Part 2: Paganism in The Bronze and Iron Ages
Part 3: Celtic Deities and Rituals
Test Your Knowledge
Key Learning Points Exercise
Module 2 Assessment

Module 3: Paganism as a Philosophy 6 Parts

Part 1: The Greco-Roman Period - Religion and Morality
Part 2: The Great Schools of Pagan Philosophy
Part 3: The Greek Religion
Test Your Knowledge
Key Learning Points Exercise
Module 3 Assessment

Module 4: The Greco-Roman Period in Rome 6 Parts

Part 1: Roman Religion and the Greek Influence
Part 2: Roman Philosophers
Part 3: The Threat of Judaism and Christianity
Test Your Knowledge
Key Learning Points Exercise
Module 4 Assessment

Module 5: Anglo-Saxon Paganism in the Middle Ages 6 Parts

Part 1: The Arrival of the Anglo-Saxons in Britain
Part 2: Anglo-Saxon Paganism
Part 3: Evidence of Anglo-Saxon Paganism
Test Your Knowledge
Key Learning Points Exercise
Module 5 Assessment

Module 6: The Renaissance and the Rebirth of Pagan Virtues 5 Parts

Part 1: What was the Renaissance?
Part 2: Humanism
Test Your Knowledge
Key Learning Points Exercise
Module 6 Assessment

Module 7: The Reformation 6 Parts

Part 1: How Renaissance Humanism Led to the Reformation
Part 2: Humanist Parallels
Part 3: The Reformation in England
Test Your Knowledge
Key Learning Points Exercise
Module 7 Assessment

Module 8: The Enlightenment, Romanticism and the Rise of Modern Paganism 7 Parts

Part 1: What was the Era of Enlightenment?
Part 2: Religious Challenges in the Era of the Enlightenment
Part 3: The Romantic Era
Part 4: The Continuing Interest in Non-Classical Antiquity
Test Your Knowledge
Key Learning Points Exercise
Module 8 Assessment

Module 9: Late 20th Century Neo-Paganism 5 Parts

Part 1: What is Neo-Druidism?
Part 2: Celebrating the Wheel of the Year
Test Your Knowledge
Key Learning Points Exercise
Module 9 Assessment

Module 10: Wicca, Witchcraft and the Goddess Movement 7 Parts

Part 1: What is Wicca?
Part 2: Wicca Magic
Part 3: Gods and Goddesses
Part 4: The Divine Feminine and The Goddess Movement
Test Your Knowledge
Key Learning Points Exercise
Module 10 Assessment

Module 11: 21st Century Paganism and the New Age 6 Parts

Part 1: Reasons for the Growing Popularity of Paganism
Part 2: Paganism and Social Movements
Part 3: Difference between Neo-Pagans and New Agers
Test Your Knowledge
Key Learning Points Exercise
Module 11 Assessment

Module 12: Paganism in the Home 6 Parts

Part 1: The Sacred Household
Part 2: Transitioning Your Home into a Pagan Haven
Part 3: Setting Up an Altar or Shrine
Test Your Knowledge
Key Learning Points Exercise
Module 12 Assessment

Module 13: Building Your Practice with Pagan Rituals 8 Parts

Part 1: Characteristics of Pagan Rituals
Part 2: Evoking and Invoking
Part 3: How to Work with Gods and Goddesses
Part 4: Centring, Grounding and Shielding
Test Your Knowledge
Key Learning Points Exercise
Conclusion
Module 13 Assessment

Accreditations

The Paganism Diploma Course will take you up to 150 hours to complete, working from home. There is no time limit for completing this course, it can be studied in your own time at your own pace. This is a Level 3 course and will give you 150 CPD (Continued Professional Development) points.

Upon completion of your course assessments, you receive 2 certificates. A certificate from the Centre of Excellence and a CPD certificate displaying the number of CPD points earned from the course.

This course is endorsed by the Quality Licence Scheme. Therefore, upon successful completion of this course, learners can also receive a certificate of achievement from Quality Licence Scheme and a Learner Unit Summary, which lists the details of all the units the learner has completed as part of the course. (This certificate is optional and costs an additional £25).

The Quality Licence Scheme is part of the Skills and Education Group, a charitable organisation that unites education and skills-orientated organisations that share similar values and objectives. With more than 100 years of collective experience, the Skills and Education Group’s strategic partnerships create opportunities to inform, influence and represent the wider education and skills sector.

The Skills and Education Group also includes two nationally recognised awarding organisations; Skills and Education Group Awards and Skills and Education Group Access. Through their awarding organisations they have developed a reputation for providing high-quality qualifications and assessments for the education and skills sector. They are committed to helping employers, organisations and learners cultivate the relevant skills for learning, skills for employment, and skills for life.

Their knowledge and experience of working within the awarding sector enables them to work with training providers, through the Quality Licence Scheme, to help them develop high-quality courses and/or training programmes for the non-regulated market.

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There is no time limit for completing your course it can be studied in your own time at your own pace.

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All of our courses vary in length but most of our courses will take you between 50 - 250 hours to complete. The length of this course can be found in the Accreditations section above.

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